Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) advances against Kansas State during the second half of an NCAA football game at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) is taken down by Alabama A&M linebacker Quantravis Kelly (36) during the first half of an NCAA football game at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) goes up high to gain some yards during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) gains yards during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) runs past North Carolina State safety Dexter Wright (14) for a touchdown late in the second half of the Camping World Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., on Dec. 26, 2016.
Rogelio V. Solis / AP

Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb brings a bowling ball to the press conference after beating Tennessee 45-34 on Nov. 26, 2016. The Commodores will play in their first bowl since 2013.
Adam Sparks/The Tennessean

“Be great,” Webb said when asked about his goal for this season. “There’s no other option. I just want to go in every week and focus on being 1-0. Whatever it takes to do that and put it all on the line in my last season with these guys, I’ll give it all I got.

“(But) you can’t be great without winning.”

Running against the Blue Raiders

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Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt’s all-time rusher, made his third consecutive SEC Media Days appearance Tuesday. But this time he drew some historical comparisons, as he enters his senior season ranked 20th on the SEC career rushing list.
Ayrika Whitney/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Webb’s recent history against MTSU suggests that his individual performance and the team’s success will go hand in hand.

During the preseason, Vanderbilt talked plenty about its deep running back rotation and using Webb as a receiver. But coach Derek Mason said using Webb as a rusher is still Vanderbilt’s best offensive weapon.

“Hey, listen, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Mason said.

Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) goes over MTSU safety Jovante Moffatt (7) in the first half of a game Sept. 10, 2016.(Photo: Helen Comer/ DNJ)

So how many offensive touches will that approach mean for Webb against MTSU? Mason exaggerated by answering, “20, 30, 40, 50, 60.”

At that rate, Webb may make a major move up the SEC rushing list sooner than later.

Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.

Vanderbilt football coach Derek Mason is developing partnerships with historically black colleges and universities to create more opportunities for games between the programs.
Autumn Allison/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee

Coach Derek Mason and the Vanderbilt Commodores open the 2017 season on Sept. 2 at Middle Tennessee State. The Commodores (6-7) are coming off their eighth all-time bowl game appearance.
Dave Ammenheuser